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The Orange County Water District’s board of directors will consider this evening whether the district should formally enter negotiations with Poseidon Resources to purchase the 56,000 acre-feet of water to be produced each year by its planned Huntington Beach Ocean Desalination Project.

The Orange County Register published an editorial on Monday, June 16, 2014 lauding the Grand Jury’s report that notes the importance of a diversified water supply.Additionally, the Orange County Register ran three letters to the editor on Saturday, June 14, 2014 identifying desalination as an important tool in Orange County’s water diversification arsenal. The Orange County Grand Jury, the OC Register Editorial Board and residents throughout Orange County agree – desalination is an important component to Orange County’s future water supply! Download the "Answer for a Thirsty County" editorial pdf or the "Move Forward on Desalination" letter to the editor pdf.

By JIM SILVA / For the RegisterAfter serving in elected office at the local, county and state level for a quarter-century, I’ve seen the partisanship divide grow deeper, which has reduced the efficacy of our elected officials and put more control of government in the hands of the bureaucracy. This reality was on full display at the recent Coastal Commission meeting I attended, where dozens of local, state and federal elected officials from both sides of the aisle streamed to the podium, and, with the best interest of their constituents in mind, urged the commission to approve the proposed Huntington Beach Seawater Desalination Facility.

Printed in the San Diego Union Tribune, October 9, 2013By Mimi Walters & Lou Correa In December 2012, the pumps that send water from Northern California to Southern California were throttled back yet again in order to protect the Delta Smelt and comply with the regulations in the Endangered Species Act. Unfortunately, that month was also the only wet month that California has enjoyed over the last year. Indeed, the first half of 2013 reportedly has been the driest stretch in state history.

By DOUG WILHELM and DALE HEKHUISGuest commentaryThe San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA), a public nonprofit, is considering whether to purchase about 50,000 acre-feet of desalinated water annually from Poseidon Resources, for-profit, privately owned water development company. Poseidon would construct, operate and own the facility in Carlsbad, adjacent to the Encina Power Station. The project has obtained all the required environmental permits and clearances. If constructed, this would be the first large-scale desal plant in California. A contract could be signed by the end of the year.